Tura, May 5: The district administration of West Garo Hills today launched an ethical campaign to inform and enlighten the voters about the May 16 bypoll.

The campaign was held at Don Bosco College, ICFAI University (Tura campus) and at Chandmari Sumo stand here.

The resource person asked the students to create consciousness amongst electorates in their neighbourhood and motivated them to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and strengthen the democratic system.

He told the students not to get influenced by money or muscle power and asked them to interact with the candidates and detail out their vision and mission.

"Listen to all candidates and make a conscious decision. Your vote counts, so don't just vote for the sake of it. Vote to ensure that you have a representative who would raise your issues in the parliament," said the resource person.

Speaking on the campaign, which is part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities, West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi said, "We need to educate the young voters and arm them with information to help them cast an enlightened vote."

Apart from institutions, the ethical campaign will be held at market places and residential localities to enhance voter turnout.

"According to the mandate of the Election Commission of India, we feel it is not simply enough to inform voters about election dates. In order to help them take an informed decision, it is quintessential to sensitise them about the importance of participating in the electoral process," said Bakshi.

He said apart from the sensitisation programme, the administration has put up hoardings, banners and posters to create awareness amongst the masses. Bakshi added that to promote democratic values, the ethical campaign will leverage both online and offline channels to make voters aware of the value of their vote and how each vote can strengthen democracy.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the administration had undertaken a similar exercise and the turnout in Tura, where urban voters show reluctance, was more than 75 per cent.

He also took the opportunity to make an appeal to urge the electorate of Garo hills to come out and take an active part in the electoral process.